Pillars of Age

Glimmers of Twilight

RIVAR

From all the districts in Parsha, the end of the Parsha pier, right under the great lighthouse, offered the finest view of the Sun's descent. The vast horizon provided an uninterrupted sight of the Sun slowly dipping into the ocean, painting the sky in gold and crimson hues.

Now, although the Sun had vanished from view, its rays lingered, casting a soft glow upon the ocean. The Light in the Ocean obscured the Sun's final moments of the day from mortal eyes, yet its ethereal radiance still graced the heavens, offering a silent farewell before nightfall.

Rivar sat at the pier's edge, his eyes fixed on the western horizon, absorbing the fading light. Around him, others gathered, drawn by the spectacle. He glanced at them, a pang of disappointment piercing him. What had once been his private sanctuary was now crowded with others, their excited chatter breaking the stillness he had cherished.

Turning his gaze back to the horizon, Rivar awaited the moment all had come to see. As the Sun typically vanished into the sea, the Light in the Ocean flared, its brilliance expanding to envelop the entire western sky for a few short moments before retreating and leaving the night in its wake.

"The colors remind me of the Northern Ice Light," a familiar voice remarked.

"Master Gaelin..." Rivar said.

Gaelin gave a gentle nod, eyes still on the horizon. "You seem to have company now at Parsha's end. Does it bother you?"

Rivar sighed, glancing around. "A bit, Master. I used to find peace in watching the Sun's full descent."

"And this new display? Does it not captivate you?"

"It does, just feels ominous," Rivar answered hesitantly.

Gaelin nodded in agreement as he remembered what Rivar told him during that fateful night.

"True, it both captivating and ominous," Another familiar voice interrupted.

"Lord Yunnas, it's a surprise to see you here," Gaelin greeted.

Yunnas forced a smile. "With that giant light, sailing has all but stopped. I've come to see if this view offers any solace."

Gaelin did not reply, turning instead to the ocean.

"While I am thankful that Master Gaelin's prediction of giant waves did not come true, that giant light still fills me with fear," Yunnas said.

Gaelin nodded slowly. "If you might accept my bluntness, Lord Yunnas, the absence of a giant wave made it far more frightening..."

"What do you mean, Master Gaelin?" Yunnas asked, surprised.

Gaelin did not answer, his gaze sharpening as a ship appeared in the distance. It was long and slender, its shimmering sails distinct from the broader vessels docked at the pier.

"Master Gaelin, isn't that the Valkyn Zursha?" Rivar pointed, his voice tinged with awe.

Yunnas turned to look. Behind the sleek ship, broader vessels loomed.

"And those ships, they are the ones that left before the light appeared!" Rivar exclaimed.

"Indeed, I see my ship Laguna Yunnas the Third... and Laguna Yunnas the First, which should have arrived from South ValMyra," Yunnas mumbled, his eyes fixed on the ships.

Rivar startled as Gaelin suddenly sprinted toward the main pier. He hesitated only a moment before following. Yunnas and the others at the pier's end quickly joined the rush.

Shouts and the blaring of trumpets and city bells echoed through Parsha, drawing more inhabitants to the main pier.

Rivar saw Gaelin struggling against the growing crowd. "This way, Master!"